Welcome to East Grinstead Rugby Round Up. If you are reading this on the website, or via Facebook, please sign up to receive this Newsletter via email, which contains loads of pictures and other content, please email m.marriott@btconnect.com and we will add you to the list.

SENIOR RUGBY
Our 1XV were on the road again on Saturday, this time with the daunting trip to table toppers, Teddington. Having pushed them hard at home earlier in the season, confidence was high. How did they get on? Read all about it here: Match report

To see Ben’s pics, Follow this link: Match pics

Our 2’s also travelled, but they went south not north, to Hellingly to face the Loonies in what is always a stern test. Was their unbeaten season under threat in this league and cup double header? Find out here: Match report

The rain overnight, unfortunately meant that our Ladies game against Worthing on Sunday was postponed.

This weekend is a rest week for us all to settle down and watch the Six Nations (Please come to the club to do it!!), but the following week (2nd), is a huge Saturday for both our senior men’s sides. Our 1’s host Sussex rivals, Eastbourne. Anyone who was lucky enough to be at Saint Hill to watch this fixture last year, was treated to one of the best games in recent memory. A win here would give us momentum and a real chance to finish the season in the top half of the table. Meanwhile, having secured their place in the Sussex cup final last week, our 2XV take on Newick, the only team that could potentially overhaul them at the top of the league. A win here would virtually confirm the league and promotion!

Make sure you are at HQ to support both sides. Please see the article below to book your place at, what promises to be, a very well attended pre-match meal.

JUNIOR RUGBY
After a week of almost constant rain, our pitches were left underwater and more suitable for scuba gear than rugby boots!

As always, we try our very best to get the kids out on the pitches but, an early morning inspection on Sunday confirmed what we all feared, it was a no go. Having anticipated this we had a Plan B up our sleeves and pushed the button on "Operation Astro".

Thanks to the club's facilities, each section was given an hour time slot on the astro so we were all able to get out and get the precious time in for the kids to enjoy their weekly rugby. The more limited space for most sections meant the coaches had to come up with some alternative drills and despite the early morning drizzle, spirits and enthusiasm were not dampened.

We do our very best to try and avoid any disruption with the normal schedule and to ensure that we give it every possible chance, this means leaving pitch decisions to the very last minute. It also means that we have to rearrange some sessions to start earlier or later so we understand everyone has to make alternative plans at very short notice. My personal thanks to all the parents and coaches for their flexibility and understanding in these difficult circumstances. Your support is as always essential and does not go unappreciated.

Hopefully the run up to the end of the season will see drier conditions so we can avoid the disruptions but this is good Old Blighty so be prepared!

Don't forget, if you missed out on Sunday, you can always make up for it by coming out on a Friday night for the Family Fun session. It's always a good craic and a chance for Mums and Dads to enjoy playing alongside their children.

INTERMEDIATE RUGBY
Crawley hosted our U13’s on Sunday, for an extremely muddy friendly. The team started strongly with a try in the 3rd and 5th minutes, both by Leighton Langridge, pushing forward and breaking through from mid field. The slippery ball and wet conditions caused handling errors for both teams, however, making good use of the wing, Zac Grubb collected a short pass from a secure scrum to the tryline. Tackling was strong from both teams with a few muddy rucks and the 4th try came from a quick pick from the back of another tidy scrum, two missed tackles from Crawley and David Smidt sailed over the tryline with ease. Just at the end of the first half, Sid Harris-Ward collected a ball from the halfway line, running though Crawley's 22 a hat trick scored.

The second half started with some fantastic rucking from both teams, solid passes and a confident defence from East Grinstead stopped Crawley from sneaking over the try line. A knock on resulted in a quick take with Sid leading the forwards and resulting in another confident try. The next try came from Leighton pushing through the Crawley defence, making the score 35 nil. A knock on from Crawley resulted in a penalty, another quick take, and with that the penultimate try was scored, Leighton achieving his 4th try of the game. Our final try came from Sid smashing through from halfway and sealing the 9th try and his hat trick! A great game and even better win!

Well done to our U16’s who represented Sussex v Surrey at Cobham on Sunday. Teddy O’Shea, Benjamin Darch, Tristan Simpson. Great shift by all and a great win against Surrey!

Not to be outdone, on Sunday, Jorja Shelford represented EGRFC in style, playing for Sussex U16 girls, winning all three of their matches. Really tough opposition too. Massive well done to Jorja and the Sussex girls. Please support East Grinstead rfc women and girls rugby by inviting your family friends to the free taster sessions on Wednesday Evenings at 1900 hrs and Sunday mornings at 1100 at the club.

EG Colts ran out 38-26 winners against Jersey, producing a fabulous performance in a pretty evenly contested match, in which the lead changed hands several times. With our very forward dominated squad, the conditions suited us with some very well worked forwards tries. Game played in a good spirit with nice bunch from Jersey and good refereeing.

EASTBOURNE & NEWICK PRE-MATCH MEAL (2nd March)
What a day it’s going to be at the club in a couple of weeks time. Tickets are selling fast, so follow this link to book your seat asap: Pre-match meal

66th SUNSHINE 7’s
So good to think about a sun drenched Saint Hill, elite rugby players and fantastic 7’s rugby. Get Sunday 28th April in the diary ASAP!

If you want to support this fantastic annual fundraising rugby feast and get some fantastic publicity for your company into the bargain, please consider advertising in the programme. For more info, contact Garry at: garry.gordon@btinternet.com

MRRF SPONSORED WALK
You may recognise a few faces in this pic as the Foundation stalwarts walk from Reading to Bristol today, finishing at Ding crusaders where there is the Whānau Cup game this evening (Wednesday 21st) – MRRF Marauders v Rugby for Heroes. It’s not too late to help them raise more funds for this amazing cause by clicking on this link: MRRF fundraising

To find out more about the Foundation and all their exciting news, please click here: https://mattratanarugby.foundation

OTHER NEWS
If you have any news about any aspect of our rugby family here at East Grinstead, get involved and email m.marriott@btconnect.com. See you next week!!